COMP 261Algorithms and Data Structures
This course covers a range of algorithms and data structures building on the fundamental structures and algorithms from COMP 103. The major areas covered are: graph algorithms, graphics algorithms and advanced data structures. This course takes a practical approach focusing on the implementation of a wide variety of algorithms.
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Course details
- Dates
- 24 Feb 2025 to 22 Jun 2025
- Starts
- Trimester 1
- Fees
- NZ$1,022.25 for
- International fees
- NZ$4,771.80
- Lecture start times
- Tuesday 12.00pm
- Wednesday 12.00pm
- Friday 12.00pm
- Campus
- Kelburn
- Estimated workload
- Approximately 150 hours or 9.4 hours per week for 16 weeks
- Points
- 15
Entry restrictions
Taught by
School of Engineering and Computer Science—Faculty of Engineering
About this course
This course offers a solid foundation in selecting, adapting, and implementing appropriate algorithms and data structures to address complex programming problems. Participants will learn to interpret algorithms in pseudocode and assess their time and space complexities to ensure their suitability for various applications. The course also includes practical experience in implementing key algorithms for graph-based problems, data compression, and parsing, which are essential for solving many real-world computational problems.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course should be able to:
Select, adapt, and implement a wide range of standard algorithms and data structures to construct software solutions to complex problems (BE 3(a), 3(d), 3(f), BSc 1, 2).
Understand algorithms described in pseudocode and to use analysis of an algorithm's time and space requirements to determine applicability to a problem (BE 3(a), 3(b), BSc 3).
Recognise the distinction between "easy" problems, 'hard' (NP) problems, and uncomputable problems and the consequences for constructing algorithms and programs for such problems (BE 3(b), BSc 3,4).
Know and be able to implement important algorithms related to graphs, searching, and parsing (BE 3(a), BSc 2).
How this course is taught
During the trimester there will be up to three lectures each week, along with a tutorial for which you will need to sign up. While lectures will be offered in-person and recorded for online access, the course is primarily designed for in-person study, and students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures and tutorials on campus. Some assessment items/tasks will require in-person attendance, particularly tests and the marking of the assignments.
Assessment
- WAT Mark: 4%
- Test 1 Mark: 20%
- Assignment 1 Mark: 12%
- Test 2 Mark: 20%
- Assignment 2 Mark: 12%
- Test 3 Mark: 20%
- Assignment 3 Mark: 12%
Assessment dates and extensions
Once you've signed up to this course, you can use to see due dates for assessments and information about extensions.
Mandatory requirements
There are no mandatory requirements for this course.
Lecture times and rooms
What you’ll need to get
You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.
Who to contact
Selected offering
COMP 261
24 Feb–22 Jun 2025
Trimester 1 · CRN 18314